CVE-2017-7105 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. iOS before 11 is affected. tvOS before 11 is affected. watchOS before 4 is affected. The issue involves the "Wi-Fi" component. It might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code in a privileged context or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted Wi-Fi traffic.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7105 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's wireless networking stack affecting multiple operating systems. This issue resides within the Wi-Fi component of iOS versions prior to 11, tvOS versions prior to 11, and watchOS versions prior to 4. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the wireless networking subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted Wi-Fi traffic. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be triggered by specially crafted network packets transmitted over Wi-Fi networks, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or cause system crashes.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the network protocol level within Apple's wireless infrastructure implementation. The memory corruption occurs when the system processes malformed Wi-Fi frames that contain maliciously constructed data structures or packet headers. The flaw falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. These classifications indicate that the vulnerability allows for memory corruption through improper bounds checking during packet processing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a network protocol attack technique, specifically under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially executing code with kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7105 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, presenting significant risks to device integrity and user data security. When exploited, the vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to bypass security mechanisms and execute malicious payloads. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to devices, enabling large-scale exploitation through compromised Wi-Fi networks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users connect to public or untrusted networks, as these scenarios provide the most opportune conditions for exploitation. The memory corruption can manifest as system crashes, unexpected reboots, or more sinisterly, persistent backdoor access that remains undetected by standard security monitoring systems.
Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the urgent deployment of Apple's security updates for iOS 11, tvOS 11, and watchOS 4. The recommended approach involves maintaining current software versions and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted wireless networks. Network administrators should consider deploying Wi-Fi security measures such as 802.1X authentication and network access control to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security patch management and proactive vulnerability assessment programs, particularly for embedded systems and mobile devices that form critical components of enterprise infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems specifically designed to identify and block malicious Wi-Fi traffic patterns associated with this vulnerability category.